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PSD Tutorial: Making A Simple Glass Effect Texture

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Tutorial - Making A Simple Glass Effect Texture

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I'm guessing you've tried it on your own before as it seems like a simple task. But it's hard isn't it? However, if you really think about it beforehand, what is glass? Is it not just a transparent medium, with reflections and shadows? It's all about the experimentation of light bouncing off a transparent surface - contrast. So, start off with a clear, shiny, smooth shape, and alter the lighting. Whether you need this effect for a web design layout, or a brush, or anything, a transparent/glass effect will always come in handy, so it's worth learning about. Apple use these effects frequently.

If you don't have Photoshop, or you want to upgrade to the new CS5.5 Version, take a look at the Adobe Special Offers from the Adobe Store. If you're new to Photoshop, we have some beginner articles and basic tips coming very soon for some of the lesser established designers, which teaches you how to use the basic features of Photoshop, such as Blending Modes, Layer Styles, Text Tools, Cropping/Slicing, Image Adjustments, Brushing, Filters and Photoshop Actions.

Download Photoshop (PSD) File

Photoshop Tutorial Step 1: Creating The Glass Block

1.1. Locate whatever will be the background for your glass area.
1.2. Duplicate this area - CTRL + J is the shortcut.
1.3. Erase what you don't need from this dupilcated layer, leaving only the area that is to be a glass block.
1.4. I've erased so that the corners are rounded, and hidden the background so that you can see it properly.

Making A Simple Glass Effect Texture - Backgrounds & Texture - Adobe Photoshop CS5 Tutorial Step 1

Making A Simple Glass Effect Texture - Backgrounds & Texture - Adobe Photoshop CS5 Tutorial Step 2

Photoshop Tutorial Step 2: Adding Shadows, Transparency & Lighting

2.1. Add Layer » Layer Style » Drop Shadow with 50% Opacity, 0px Distance, 10% Spread, and 15px Size.
2.2. Add Layer » Layer Style » Inner Glow with 20% Opacity, white colouring, 0% Choke, and 5px Size.
2.3. Add Layer » Layer Style » Bevel & Emboss with 12px Soften and 0% Black Opacity.
2.4. Depending on the size of your glass block, these settings might need to be slightly altered - so experiment with them.
2.5. Duplicate the layer, remove all Layer Styles, fill it white, and then change the Opacity to 10%-15%.